The Power of the Spoken Word
Over the centuries humanity has been stirred by oratory, swayed by the power of the tongue. Such quotes as “give me liberty or give me death” or “I have a dream” shake nations and have altered the course of history. Unfortunately, however, the practice of public speaking has largely died out in both curricular and extra-curricular expectations and activities for students. In classical education it was considered essential; vital to a person’s influence upon those around them. Ever since the days of the great Greek philosophers rhetoric has been lauded as a prince of virtues but has become no more than idle words.
There are, however, amazing organizations working hard to change that. Stoa USA and the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (or NCFCA) have been taking the homeschool world by storm with approximately seven thousand affiliated families.
The goal of the Washington Competitive Speech Camp is to give students a head start on the year and to pursue a higher level of public speaking.
The actual types of events are varied as well. Here is a list with brief definitions.
Platform speeches (prepared, ten minutes in length)
Original Oratory (O.O.) – An informative prepared speech given on any topic.
Persuasive Oratory – A prepared speech given to persuade the audience.
Illustrated Oratory (I.O.) –An O.O. with visual aids and poster boards
Interpretive speeches -- Acting out literature without the use of props, costumes, scenery, and (except with duos) other actors.
Dramatic Interp. (D.I.) – A dramatic piece of literature brought to life
Humorous Interp. (H.I.) – A humorous piece of literature brought to life.
Duo Interp. (Duo) – An interpretation, either humorous or dramatic, with two performers.
Thematic Interp. (T.I.) – A string of three sources linked by transitions written by the speaker to illustrate a point. (WARNING: T.I. was a wildcard event this year and is not guaranteed to be repeated.)
Limited preparation speeches
Impromptu – Simple. A speaker is handed three slips of paper with words on them and has two minutes to concoct a five-minute speech.
Extemporaneous (Extemp.) – Throughout the competition season, a speaker does research about current events. Then, during a round, they are handed a question about a current issue and are given thirty minutes to re-read evidence and then write a seven-minute speech.
Apologetics – Speaker has four minutes to write a six minute speech about a theology subject drawn during the round. Cards may be written and researched ahead of time.
Debate
Team Policy (T.P.) – Two debate teams, each with two debaters, argue US policy (example – environmental policy, immigration policy)
This is without a doubt the best and most useful of any intellectual activities available to students today. It looks great on job applications, college applications and it’s effects on your personal confidence and professional bearing are immense. Its lessons are limitless, its application infinite. Pastors, teachers, actors, lawyers, executives, politicians and businessmen all are required to be able to speak in front of an audience and persuade them or inform them, make them laugh or make them cry. All students should receive training in this area. Not to mention the fact that even the shyest, most closeted of people end up loving the camaraderie, the lifelong friendships that result from going through this amazing form of competition. It’s a blast and I invite you, I urge you to try this for a year. You’ll be addicted.
